Travel News March 2022 NCL Removes Mask Requirement


NORWEGIAN Cruise Lines have announced that starting from this month,, masks will no longer be re- quired onboard their cruise-ships.


According to NCL’s website, the requirement to wear a mask onboard will be removed on the 1st of March 2022. However, NCL have emphasised how the decision to wear a mask is at guest’s individual discre- tion.


Currently, NCL requires all guests over five years old and crew to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In a statement on their webpage, NCL highlights their recent change.


“Our cruises will operate with 100% vaccination of


crew and guests age five and over, therefore face cover- ings are not required while onboard,”


“However, we recognise the added protections pro- vided when wearing a mask covering and recommend that all guests do so onboard when indoors, except when actively eating or drinking, or seated at a table in a


dining setting, or when in their stateroom.” Fall in Love with Ambassador Cruises Latest Deals


Ambassador Cruise Line have launched a selection of “Fall in Love with Cruising” Late Deal fares on six spring and early summer sailings, on the last remaining 250 twin cabins. Ambassador is the first British cruise line to launch in the UK in over a decade. Sailing from London Tilbury, the no-fly itineraries provide a premium-value, authentic cruise experience predominantly aimed at the 50-plus traveller.


What type of cruise lover are you? The Simple Sailing Soul


Don’t mind where you rest your head? Happy to just enjoy the onboard ambience? Their Twin Inside or Out- side Guarantee Late Saver Fares are the best for you. Allowing you the freedom to customise with chargeable optional extras at any time ahead of your sailing. The Push the Boat Out


Want to know all the bells and whistles are taken care of? Their Twin Inside or Outside Guarantee Ambassa- dor Fares are the ones for you, relax knowing that within


Scenic Sees Significant Spike in Demand


Scenic Cruises has reported a 100 per cent increase year-on-year for bookings to Antarctica on board it’s ultra-luxury discovery yacht, Scenic Eclipse. The signif- icant spike in demand for journeys to the white conti- nent show no signs of slowing down, with January 2022 bookings up a further 27 per cent when compared with last year’s figures. Along with a very limited availability remaining for 2022 sailings. The news comes following Scenic’s successful re-


turn to Antarctic waters as one of the first major cruise lines to do so in January 2022. Scenic has unveiled its full 2023/2024 Antarctica and South America Voyages & Land Journeys collection as the first in a series of ex- traordinary destination brochures.


The ultra-luxury programme sees the addition of a second yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, increasing Scenic’s ca- pacity in the Polar regions. Both discovery yachts will meet for the first time when sailing in Antarctica in De- cember 2023. New for the 2023/2024 season is the introduction


of brand-new fly-cruises to allow guests to fly over the Drake Passage and arrive in Antarctica more swiftly. The 11-day Wild Antarctica: Fly the Drake voyage sees guests fly over the infamous passage, on a short two- hour flight to and from King George Island, landing in Antarctica ready for unrivalled exploration. The all-new-19 day Beyond the Antarctic Circle voy- age combines the splendour of the Antarctic Peninsula with a journey endeavouring to reach latitude 66° 33’ south. Take pride in venturing where few people have explored before by crossing the Antarctic Circle to witness dramatic changes in the landscape, such as an increase in sea ice, and wildlife living off the krill-rich waters.


With a Polar Class 6 rating and just 200 guests on


board in Polar Regions, Scenic Eclipse offers an unri- valled 6-star cruising experience taking guests on an ultra-luxury expedition voyage in ultimate comfort. The strengthened hull and custom-built stabilisers allow the discovery yacht to cross the Drake Passage more smoothly and quickly than other vessels of its size. Sce- nic Eclipse has been designed to provide unrivalled ac- cess to the most remote and remarkable landing sites in the region, including full access in South Georgia as the first commercial operator to undertake submarine dives in its waters. With its on board fleet of Zodiacs, two lux- ury helicopters and a six-person submarine, a voyage on board Scenic Eclipse is sure to provide extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime memories.


Guests booking and paying for their cruise in full 12 months prior to departure will save up to 20 per cent on the cruise fare with Scenic’s limited-time Super Early- bird offer.


For more information on Scenic Cruises, please visit scenic.co.uk


your Ambassador Fare you have included as standard: Gratuities & service charges


Top Expedition Drinks Package, which includes: Premium & House Wines


Premium & House brands from the bar Premium teas & speciality coffees


Choice of 1st or 2nd dining sitting for dinner (ex- cludes table size) Priority for complimentary cabin upgrades (subject to availability)


To book please visit www.ambassadorcruiseline.com


Swan Hellenic Floats Out SH Vega


Swan Hellenic have announced that Helsinki Ship-


yard had floated SH Vega out of dry dock. SH Vega is the twin ship of SH Minerva, which launched at the end of last year and IW now exploring the Antarctica. Steelwork production for the third slightly larger vessel commissioned from Helsinki started last Summer, and about 50% of the blocks are now ready at the yard. The Swan Hellenic fleet is thus coming together smoothly to take adventurous and discerning voyagers on a wide range of distinctive cruises.


All three ships are designed for minimal environ-


mental impact and comply with the latest emission standards, while also being battery-ready for future emission-free silent sailing in port as well as wildlife and marine reserves. SH Vega features a 4.6-megawatt diesel-electric hy- brid-ready propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and PC5 ice-strengthened hull that is fully Safe Return to Port certified. At 113 m, the 10,500 GRT vessel has been specially designed for worldwide cruis- ing to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on earth.


Providing elegant and spacious 5-star accommoda- tion for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Vega will be op- erated by an onboard team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personal service, priding itself on one of the highest GRT-to-passenger ratios in its category. The very latest hygiene technology will protect the health of all on board to the highest standards and includes air conditioning with UV sanitisation systems. Designed for immersive experiences and extensive open views, SH Vega features an expedition laboratory, marine life library and observation lounge for lectures by expert expedition leaders and specialists from a wide range of disciplines. Expedition day trips by zodiac are a central feature of the programmes that will be offered, along with kayaking, trekking and other activities. The on-board amenities include a spa, sauna, gym, library, panoramic restaurant and club lounge serving world- class cuisine, as well as a pool deck with bar. SH Vega will be delivered to Swan Hellenic in May 2022. Departing on her 11-day maiden cruise on the 29th of May, she will sail from Leith, the port of Edinburgh, to explore the Faroe Islands and Iceland, docking in Reykjavík on the 8th of June. The third ship in the fleet, temporarily named Vega 3, will be delivered in early 2023.


“SH Vega is a next-generation ship that advances the


Swan Hellenic cultural expedition cruising tradition in the inspired mould of her sister ship. We are very proud of our contribution to everything she represents,” com- mented Simo Rastas, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard. “We are again delighted with the quality of Helsinki’s


work,” added Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito. “De- spite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, everyone at the shipyard has maintained an ambitious schedule to the very highest standards. It’s wonderful to see our vision come together so well. We know our guests will love how such similar ships as SH Minerva and SH Vega can also be so different, enriching their voyages with us worldwide to see what others don’t.” For more information about Swan Hellenic, please visit www.swanhellenic.com


Resounding Response To Stena Line’s Recruitment Campaign


Ferry company, Stena Line has been overwhelmed with the positive response from the public to its recent re- cruitment campaign ‘A Life Less Ordinary’, which aims to fill 60 vacant positions onboard its Irish Sea ferries. 1,700 applications were received from people across the UK and Republic of Ireland.


The campaign promoted the unique nature of life on-


board, with 50% time-off providing the perfect work-life balance for people wanting to live and work onboard for either a one or two-week shift and then spend equal time off. The positions available are part of the Onboard Sales and Services (OSS) team, with vacancies for ser- vice assistants and chefs.


With January being the traditional time of the year when many people look for a new career, Stena Line had hoped for a favourable response but even the most optimistic of predictions could not have expected it to be so over-subscribed.


Stena Line has now undertaken the initial stage of the


selection process and, for the first-time, is hosting two Open Days for prospective candidates on Monday 14th February, where they will get a chance to meet members of Stena Line’s crews. The Open Days are taking place in Belfast and Birk- enhead with the latter being held onboard one of Stena Line’s newest ferries, Stena Edda, giving candidates a chance to get a first-hand taste of life onboard on the Irish Sea. Stephen Bryden, Stena Line’s Head of Onboard Sales and Services, commented on the success of the campaign: “I am astonished by the public’s response to the A Life Less Ordinary recruitment campaign. We have never received so many applications. It really goes to show how many people are attracted to a life at sea with a company like Stena Line. Now our HR team has the challenge of how to sort and interview so many ap- plicants, but that is a nice challenge to have. Thank you to every single person that has applied to work with us.”


CRUISE NEWS


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Crystal Cruises Cease Trading


CRYSTAL Cruises have officially ceased trading. This news follows after Crystal Cruise’s parent com- pany, Genting HK filed for liquidation in January 2022. It has been reported that all 238 employees at Crys-


tal’s Miami base have been laid off as operations wind down.


Crystal Cruises have filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act with Florida Authorities to conclude the lay-offs.


Michael Moecker & Associates have been appointed by the Florida courts to handle creditors’ claims. With a range of valid claims from passengers, travel agents, suppliers and employees.


In response to inquiries from customers about claim- ing refunds, The US Federal Maritime Commission is advising customers to contact their credit card issuer, or via their insurer to help speed along the refund process. The FMC’s refund claim process will only cover cruises departing from a US Port of Call.


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